Chronicling the adventures of one amazing, funny, sweet, outrageous young lady, who happens to have CHARGE syndrome!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

A Few Updates

Well as you can see, it's been a long while since I last updated K's blog once again. I know many of you read updates and see pictures on Facebook but for those who don't I still like to update here when I can. There's been a lot happening - the biggest news is that we have a lovely young lady, Krissy, now living with us. Krissy & Kennedy met each other at Deaf Camp back in 2006 and have been at several camps together since then, so they've known each other for a while. We wondered how it might change the dynamic of the family/household but everything has just fallen into place like it's always been that way. An added bonus has been seeing the two of them together, they have really bonded. We're happy to have her join our family.

Trampoline Time
The first weekend Krissy arrived, the trampoline went up and the jumping began!
(oh and cat-grooming on the trampoline as well, a chore that the two Ks do together)

Summer chat together on the wharf at Hatfield Point...

High School???
In other news, Kennedy is getting ready for high school - she recently went on a tour and had a great time. She was so excited the night before, I didn't know if she would be able to sleep (thankfully, she did). I am quite optimistic about the move to high school and infinitely more relaxed about it than I was when she was making the switch to middle school. She will attend the high school where her Papa and Uncle Scott went and the high school where her Grampie taught, Harbour View High School. She is very eager to be the best VIKING she can be.
Go VIKINGS!

Cheer
Another year of cheerleading has finished - she actually won all-star at one of the competitions! At the Provincial Championships, she got an award for dedication, determination, and courage in the face of adversity. All the teams and the whole audience gave her a standing ovation, it was very touching - very nice award from the NBJCA. They had a good team and a strong year - I hope her cheerleading career continues in high school because she is full of spirit and ready to show it. It's been a wonderful experience over the past three years.
Kennedy's 2012 Cheer Pic

With her All-Star award

Getting her award from the NBJCA at Provincials

Team Pictures
The grade eight girls - their last year as a "Star"

The whole team taking a jump at the year-end photo shoot (Kennedy is far right)

Trailer Time
With Victoria Day weekend, came the opening of our trailer at Pirate's Cove in beautiful Belleisle Bay. For two glorious sunny weekends, we have enjoyed kicking back and forgetting about the world for a couple of days. It will be lovely when summer vacation is here and we can be up for longer periods. Krissy & Kennedy even took a dip in the bay yesterday - although it was sunny, the water was too chilly for my courage level!
The two Ks after their dip in the bay!

First campfire of the season

Cool blue light-up shades from neighbors at the campground

Mom's Graduation
On May 18th, Mom graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with an M.Ed. in the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It will be nice to have that off the plate and have more time to be a mom. It was a sunny, celebratory day and 9 people from the family were able to attend - including Kennedy, the inspiration for everything...

More news & pictures to come...June is shaping up to be busy as ever with a school trip to Ottawa and Quebec as well as graduation from middle school.

1 comment:

Thank you for updating us non-facebookers! Lol! Congrats to you, what a huge accomplishment, and lots of hard work and time put in!

I love the two K's, so wonderful for you to have another family member and Kennedy seems to enjoy her company for sure! Love the cheer leading pics and hope she continues in high school--wow does time fly or what!

WELCOME!

Today is...

Team Kennedy CIFC

What is CHARGE Syndrome?

CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable (genetic) pattern of birth defects which occurs in about one in every 9-10,000 births worldwide. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. The vast majority of the time, there is no history of CHARGE syndrome or any other similar conditions in the family. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects, including complex heart defects and breathing problems. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing loss, vision loss, and balance problems which delay their development and communication. All are likely to require medical and educational intervention for many years. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations.

Continued research is needed to help us understand the medical and developmental challenges facing individuals with CHARGE. Better understanding will lead the way to interventions, therapies and educational strategies which can help people with CHARGE syndrome overcome many of the obstacles in their lives.

One of the hidden features of CHARGE syndrome is the determination and strong character these children display.